Mail-distributing case



Sept. 3, 1929.

E. M. SHREEVE MAIL DISTRIBUTING CASE Filed July 5, 192a uv-m 2Sheets-Sheet 1 sheave.

/ a Moi/WW Sept. 3, 1929. E. M. SHREEVE 1,726,632

MAIL DISTRIBUTING CASE Filed July 5, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 am-uvmtoz 1:.M. ,sie ev Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES ERNEST M. SHREEVE, oroGDEN, U'rA'rrf MAIL-DISTRIBUTINGCASE.-

Application filed July 5, 1928. Serial No. 290,607,

The invention aims to conserve space and facilitate the routing of mail,and provides a case whereby different classes of mail, such as letters,newspapers and periodicals may be assorted when arranging the same fordelivery.

The invention contemplates a case embodying two sets or tiers ofshelves, one set being movable vertically and counterbalanced, and theother set being foldableso as not to obstruct the path of the movableset. i

While the drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention,it is to be understood that in adapting the means to meet specific needsand requirements, the design may be varied andsuch other changes in theminor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of theinvention as claimed, without departing from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof,reference is to be had in the following description and the drawinghereto attached, in which Figure 1 is an elevational view of a mailrouting case embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1. j j

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 3-3 ofFigure 1 showing the letter unit elevated and the paper unit lowered.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the letter unit loweredand the paper unit folded.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fra entary view of a portion of one of theolding shelves of the paper unit.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the part illustrated inFigure 5.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and designated in the several views of the drawing by likereference characters.

The case is relatively small and shallow and comprises a cabinet andindependent sets of shelves, the one for use in routing letters and theother for routing newspapers,

circulars and like matter. The cabinet comprises similar side pieces 1,a top 2, a bottom 3, and an intermediate desk top 4. The space includedbetween the desk top 4 and bottom 3 is divided by means of a verticalpartition 5 to form a compartment for resame,

tive strips 8, toaline therewith when lowered into horizontal position,as indicated most clearly Figures 3 and'5 ofthe drawings. Bars 10connect I, the shelves 9 and engage journals 11 projecting at oppositeends adjacent the forward edges of the shelves. Latches 12 at the sidesof the cabinet are adapted to hold the shelves 9 in folded .position, asindicated most clearly in Figure 4 of the drawings. Pins 13 projectingupwardly from the shelves 9. serve to hold the newspapers and othermatter in place when assorted during the routing operation. The bottomshelf of the paper unit alines With the part {1 thereby admitting of thenewspapers, circulars and like matter bein assorted upon the desk top4;. The butts o the hinges connecting the shelves 9 with the strips 8face upwardly, hence the rear edges of the shelves abut the forwardedges of the strips Sand are thus supported in hori zontal position asindicated most clearly in Figures 3 and 5 of the drawings. Label holders14 are applied to the forward edges of the shelves 9 and consist ofstrips of sheet metal having their longitudinal edge portions recurvedso as to engage opposite edge portions of the labels as will readily beappreciated.

The letter unit is movable vertically and comprises a rectangular frame15 and a plurality of shelves 16. Each of the shelves 16 has a pluralityof openings formed there in to receive spacers 1 which serve to hold theletters in spaced position. The letter unit is counterbalanced anddirected in its vertical movements. A cord 18 is attached at one end toeach side of the frame 15 and passes over a guide pulley 19 at the topof each of the side pieces 1. A weight 20 slidable in a 1pocket 21 isprovided at each end with a pn ley 22 beneath which the cords 18 pass,the opposite ends of the cords being attached to the sides 1 adjacentthe top thereof. When the letter unit is lowered the weight 20 iselevated and when the letter unit is raised the weight 20 is lowered.

The pocket 21 is located above the strips 8 of the paper unit therebyadmitting of the letter unit having an unobstructed movement verticallywhen the shelves 9 are folded as indicated most clearly in Figure 4 ofthe drawings. Vertical guide strips 23 at opposite sides of theletter'unit are received in guide grooves formed in the sides 1 anddirect the letter unit in its Vertical movement and revent forward orbackward movement t ereof 'in any a-djusted'position.

.Inrouting the mail the aper unit is folded and the letterunitis rawndownwardly and rests upon the desk top 4. This position of the unit ,isindicated in Figure 4: of the drawings. The letters to be routed areplaced uponthe desktop 4 and areproperly positioned u n the shelves 16as they are assorted. -A er the letters have been routed the tier ofshelves 16"is moved upwardly to the position indicated in Figure 3 andthe shelves 9"are lowered into operative osition. The newspapers,circulars, perio icals and like matter placed in the bin 6 are assortedand properly positioned upon the shelves 9and are tied into bundles andarranged for deliver The shelves 9 are now folded and the etter unitdrawn downwardlyand any'letters'receiv'ed are distrib'utedafterwhich'the letters ma betied in bundles and "otherwise arrange fordelivery.

'It ,is observed that the case results in a material saving offloorspace and facilitates the-assorting and routingof the mail, and inconsequence the expense incident'to enlarging quarters isobviated withav material saving both in the position of quarters andtimerequiredintherouting of the mail for delivery.

Having thus described the invention, I claim 1. A mail routing case,comprising a cabinet, a tier of folding shelves within the cabinet, barspivotally connecting the shelves to permit simultaneousfolding andunfolding thereof, a tier of vertically movable the. cabinet, foldingshelves hinged to the transverse strips, means for simultaneouslyfolding and unfolding the shelves, and a tier of shelves movablevertically in frontof the shelves when folded.

3. A mail routing case, comprising a cabinet, a desk top intermediatethe top and bottom of the cabinet, a tier of folding shelves adjacentthe'back of the cabinet, one shelf of the tier, when unfolded, beingadapted to align with the desk top, a tier of shelves movable verticallyin front of the folding shelves and 'acounter weight connected with thevertically movable shelves and operable in the space adjacent the backof the cabinet and provided above the tier of folding shelves.

4. The combination with a cabinet 1ncluding vertical s'ides, transversestrips disposed adjacent the back of the cabinet, shelveshinged tothe'transverse strips and limited in their downward movement thereby,ba'rs pivotally connecting the folding shelves, and means 'for'holdingthe shelves in folded position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ERNEST M. SHREEVE.

